Every AMNH Expedition is accompanied by an expert leader who enhances our travels with their passion for the destinations we visit and their knowledge of topics as varied as anthropology, geology, biodiversity, evolution, conservation, paleontology, astronomy, and cultural history and archaeology. Along with providing a series of formal lectures, these engaging scholars are our travel companions and cultural ambassadors, available for in-depth discussion and one-on-one conversation throughout our journey.

In addition to our study leaders, special guest speakers often welcome AMNH Expedition travelers in the countries we visit with lectures and special behind-the-scenes events. Past guest speakers have included heads of state, foreign dignitaries, and world-renowned artists and scholars.

	Bill Moyers - During his long career in journalism, Bill Moyers has been recognized as one of the unique voices of his generation. He has served as a founding organizer of the Peace Corps, a Special Assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, publisher of Newsday, senior correspondent for the distinguished documentary series CBS Reports, and senior news analyst for the CBS Evening News. Together with his wife and creative partner Judith Davidson Moyers, he formed Public Affairs Television, which produced such groundbreaking series as NOW with Bill Moyers, Bill Moyers on Faith & Reason, and Moyers on America. Among their acclaimed documentaries are All Our Children, Free Speech for Sale, and Surviving the Good Times. Their latest weekly public affairs series, Bill Moyers Journal, premiered in April 2007. Bill Moyers has received more than 30 Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, two prestigious Gold Baton awards from the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award, nine Peabody awards, and three George Polk Awards, including the Career Achievement Award. He also received the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by the American Film Institute and recently received the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Lifetime Achievement Award. His books include such bestsellers as: Listening to America, The Power of Myth, Healing and the Mind, The Language of Life, and Moyers on America: A Journalist and His Times.
	Bruce Loeffler, study leader for the American Museum of Natural History, is both a geologist and an art historian. He received his undergraduate degree in chemistry and has a Ph.D. in geology and an M.A. in art history both from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Loeffler is Professor Emeritus of Geology and Visiting Professor of Art at Colorado College in Colorado Springs and Lecturer in Geology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he currently resides. An enthusiastic and gifted educator, Dr. Loeffler has taught various courses in geology and ecology, including Physical Geology, Volcanology, Earthquakes, and Plate Tectonics. In art, he has taught Art Appreciation, Survey of Western Art, Classical and Medieval Art, Renaissance and Baroque Art, and American Art, as well as Introduction to American Ethnic Studies. His study of volcanoes has taken him around the world, and he has traveled with AMNH groups to Mexico, the Canadian Arctic, Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, the British Isles, France, Spain, Portugal, Sicily, and Croatia; through Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China along the Silk Road; from Japan to the Siberian Arctic along the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka; and Around the World to Peru, Easter Island, Samoa, Australia, Cambodia, Tibet, India, Tanzania, Egypt and Morocco. Tour(s): The Isles of Greece Around the World 2
	Carl Mehling is Collections Manager for Fossil Amphibians, Reptiles, and Birds at the American Museum of Natural History. The collections he oversees include the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world as well as early synapsids and tetrapods, pterosaurs, crocodiles, turtles and marine reptiles. His work is similar to that of a librarian, and fossils are the “books” from which scientists read the history of life on Earth. He is interested in all aspects of paleontology, especially the fringe areas that normally get little attention, including bizarre modes of fossil preservation, anomalous discoveries, and oddities within the history of paleontology. Mr. Mehling has collected fossils of all kinds always with an eye towards the next new thing. His fossil hunting has taken him to the Canadian Arctic, the Gobi Desert, Patagonia, and all over the United States. He has written or edited a number of books on fossils, including those for children, as well as scientific papers. Personal statement from our tour expert, Carl Mehling: “I often feel compelled to come up with reasons why I find paleontology so captivating, but can anyone really say why they first became enthralled with something? I suspect that something primal is triggered—often in our youth—when we’re introduced to concepts that amaze us. I’m convinced that happened to me around age 5. Fossils just stuck me as fascinating from my first exposure. And, luckily, they still are. As with any developing passion, clear reasons emerged for me: Fossils are immensely/almost incomprehensibly old; they are typically organisms that are challenging to picture alive; they inspire many of our superlative-clad stories (and we love stories); they are keys to our planets previous episodes. There is also a very common appeal that when one finds a fossil, theirs are the very first eyes to fall on this messenger from Deep Time – the first mind to revive this life lived long ago.” Tour(s): Digging for Dinosaurs 1
	Carol Simon is a veteran of more than 40 AMNH Expeditions and her presentations provide in-depth insight into the natural history of the regions visited. She is broadly trained in ecology, animal behavior and evolution. Her research on the social behavior of reptiles, particularly lizards, has taken her to many areas of North and Central America, with a strong focus on fieldwork at the Museum’s Southwestern Research Station in Arizona. Dr. Simon is Professor Emerita of Biology at the City College of the City University of New York, and is a Research Associate in the Museum’s Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Herpetology. Tour(s): Southwest Research Station Patagonia
	Christopher J. Raxworthy is Associate Dean of Science for Education and Exhibition and Associate Curator in the Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Herpetology at the American Museum of Natural History. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology at Columbia University. His research is based on amphibian and reptile evolution and conservation, primarily in Madagascar, where he has worked since 1985. During his field seasons of research in Madagascar, Dr. Raxworthy has explored many of the most remote and little explored regions of the island. He has also conducted fieldwork in Vietnam, Ghana and Mali. A Personal Statement from Christopher: “From my very first hours in Madagascar, back in 1985, I fell in love with the country and its people, well before I had even seen my first chameleon and lemur. And after 25 years, that feeling has never changed, and I expect to be exploring this mini-continent (the size of California) for the rest of my life. On this voyage we have the exciting privilege of exploring Madagascar from its shores, which will allow us to gain rare access to many special and interesting sites. The chance to then cross the Mozambique Channel, and explore unusual destinations in Mozambique and East of Africa represents another exciting part of this voyage. In particular, I am very much looking forward to contrasting the fauna, flora, and cultural dimensions of these two very different worlds, and sharing these experiences with you. I look forward to welcoming you on this upcoming AMNH Expedition and exploring these topics further.” Tour(s): Madagascar & Mozambique
	Doranne Jacobson is an anthropologist, writer, photographer, and lecturer, specializing in South Asian studies. She has visited Asia many times, conducting extensive research on social change and gender roles in India and traveling over much of the subcontinent. She speaks Hindi, India’s national language, and lived in an Indian village for five years. Those who have visited the American Museum of Natural History have seen one of the products of her research, as she collected and documented the Indian village material in the Hall of Asian Peoples. Dr. Jacobson has written numerous articles and two books on India, including the beautiful volume India: Land of Dreams and Fantasies. She is currently Director of International Images, a consulting firm in Springfield, Illinois. She will present illustrated lectures on traditional society and culture as well as contemporary issues in modernizing India. A personal statement from Doranne Jacobson on India: “As an anthropologist specializing in the study of India, I have greatly enjoyed exploring the complexities of South Asian cultures. I have found the astonishing variety and richness of Indian traditions to be fascinating and inspirational. Each new trip yields surprises, as change sweeps across the nation. Yet, even in the midst of globalization, long-treasured cultural traditions remain vibrant. Our tour will take us to ancient and modern centers of Indian accomplishment, and at lively houses of worship we’ll witness rituals passed down through many generations. We’ll explore royal palaces, dramatic forts, colorful markets, serene villages, and bustling cities. A special treat will be the amazing Pushkar Fair, where we’ll mingle with brilliantly-attired pilgrims and their camels beside a sacred lake framed by desert dunes. Everywhere throughout our visit we’ll enjoy the warm hospitality for which India is justly famous.”
	Eleanor Sterling - “From my work in diverse ecosystems ranging from the rainforests of Madagascar to atolls in the Pacific Ocean to the mountains of Vietnam, I have traveled to many remote ecosystems, always fascinated by the Earth’s remarkable biological diversity. However, there is truly nothing like Antarctica. I look forward to exploring with you how species have adapted to the challenges presented by this environment in the most fascinating ways: everything from the many penguin species that withstand the cold through physical and social adaptations to the whales that call Antarctica home for a portion of their epic migrations. I hope to welcome you on this upcoming AMNH Expedition and eager to journey across this captivating continent and experience its amazing wildlife with you.” Eleanor is Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) at the American Museum of Natural History and of Graduate Studies in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology at Columbia University. She leads the development and coordination of the CBC's national and international field projects and the development of curricula for undergraduate and graduate level educators. Dr. Sterling has worked for several international conservation organizations, and has many years of field research experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where she has conducted behavioral, ecological, and genetic studies of primates, whales, and other mammals, as well as of sea turtles and giant Galápagos tortoises. Dr. Sterling also studies the inter-relationships between cultural, linguistic, and biological diversity. She translates this and other scientific information into recommendations for conservation managers, decision-makers, and educators. She has extensive expertise in developing environmental education programs and professional development workshops for teachers, students, and U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in the field of biodiversity conservation. Tour(s): Around the World by Private Jet Antarctica: An Ethereal World
	Elvira Hammond, a AMNH study leader and a College Assistant Professor of Asian History at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. While her background is in Chinese Literature and Linguistics she came to realize that a true understanding of the vast corpus of Chinese literature only comes with knowledge of Chinese history. Dr. Hammond first arrived in China in 1983 in the midst of the “Anti-Spiritual Pollution Campaign” and has watched China “reform and open” as she studied and worked there off and on in the twenty-seven years since. She now teaches courses on China, Korea and Japan with emphasis on cultural history. She is also the Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at New Mexico State University, overseeing liaison with the public schools. Tour(s): China Revealed
	George Amato is the Director of the Sackler Institute of Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History. In addition to administering this interdepartmental scientific program of more than 70 scientists, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students, Dr. Amato continues to conduct research in conservation genetics of endangered species. He also serves as an Affiliated Professor in the Richard Gilder Graduate School and is an adjunct professor at Columbia, Yale, and Fordham Universities. Previous to joining the Museum, Dr. Amato spent seventeen years conducting conservation research and programs at the Wildlife Conservation Society, where he was the Director of Conservation and Science until 2005. Dr. Amato has lectured and published extensively on conservation strategies for endangered species, concentrating much of his work on the use of molecular analysis to determine conservation priorities and in developing forensic tools for monitoring the illegal trade in wildlife. Additionally, he is the chairman of the Consortium for the Barcode of Life Conservation Committee and is also a Trustee of the Lemur Conservation Foundation. Dr. Amato is involved in conservation issues on a global scale working on projects in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. He received his B.S. from the University of Connecticut and M.S., M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Yale University. Tour(s): Experiences of a Lifetime by Private Jet
	Getu Assefa Wondimu is currently Head of the National and World Heritage Sites Management Coordinating Office, in the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages in Ethiopia, where he works to coordinate protection and management of the country’s eight world heritage sites. Prior to that, he was Team Leader for the National Inventory of Cultural Heritage and for a program on Heritage Training and Education. He graduated with a BA in History from Addis Ababa University in 1984. He completed an MSc in World Heritage Management at University College Dublin in 2007, for which he undertook research on tourism management at the world heritage site of Lalibela. Tour(s): Ethiopia's Hidden Treasures
	Howard Topoff has spent 40 years researching the social behavior, interrelationships, and community structure of animals. His field research has been conducted in Central and South America, Africa, and at the Museum’s Southwestern Research Station in Arizona. He is Professor Emeritus of Biopsychology at Hunter College of the City University of New York. Tour(s): Southwest Research Station Patagonia
	Ian Tattersall, Curator in the Division of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, is an expert on physical anthropology and human evolution, and has lectured on many educational expeditions throughout the world. He is also Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at Columbia University and is now working on a multi-volume project to document the major fossils in the human fossil record. Trained in geology as well as in archaeology and anthropology, he has carried out field research on living primates and has collected fossils in countries all over the world, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Dr. Tattersall wrote The Fossil Trail: How We Know What We Think We Know About Human Evolution, which examines how both significant fossil finds and new theories have been used by scientists to trace the path of human evolution. His most recent book, Human Origins: What Bones and Genomes Tell Us About Ourselves, written with co-curator Rob DeSalle, is a companion to the American Museum’s new Hall of Human Origins, the latest in a long series of popular exhibitions he has curated. Among his books dealing with cave art and the origins of human creativity is Becoming Human: Evolution and Human Uniqueness. A Personal Statement from Ian: “Comparisons are odious, but if pressed I’d have to admit that, of the many American Museum of Natural History Expeditions I’ve had the pleasure of leading over the years, this one is hands-down my favorite. Not only are the decorated caves and rockshelters of Aquitaine intrinsically fascinating, and aesthetically and emotionally powerful to an extent that’s hard to imagine if you haven’t seen them for yourself, but they are situated in some of the most delightful landscapes the planet has to offer. Add to this the extraordinarily evocative history of this lovely region, and the fact that it is home to one of France’s most satisfying cuisines, and you have a total experience that is unparalleled in its richness.” Tour(s): Ice-Age Cave Art of Southwest France
	Jack Conrad is a Research Associate in the Department of Vertebrate Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History. His research interests include vertebrate biology, evolutionary biology, and reptiles (including dinosaurs). He has worked to understand various aspects of the evolutionary history of Squamata (snakes and lizards), including the way these various groups are related to one another and the evolution of feeding within snakes. He is the author of numerous scientific publications and has been involved with naming four fossil lizard species and two extinct dinosaur species. Dr. Conrad has collected fossils in diverse environments including the American West, the Sahara Desert, the Canadian Arctic near the North Pole, and the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. A Personal statement from Jack Conrad: “My parents were not trained biologists but they instilled in me an all-encompassing wonder about and appreciation of the natural world. I first knew I wanted to study dinosaurs before I started grade school. But dinosaurs are just one facet of a much more extensive, expansive, and complex gem that is the history of Life. In time, I came to realize that to understand anything about the ancient world, you had to know a lot about the modern world—and vice versa. Today, my work allows me a rewarding framework in which to examine extinct systems. The study of the complexity of life, both ancient and modern, is one of the most frustrating and fulfilling of all undertakings.” Tour(s): Digging for Dinosaurs 2
	Jay Holmes is currently the Senior Coordinator of Urban Advantage Professional Development at the American Museum of Natural History. Urban Advantage (UA) is a partnership between the Museum and 7 other science rich cultural institutions in New York City. UA helps teachers bring student centered science research to over 25,000 New York City middle school students. Jay designs, directs, and delivers professional development to teachers in areas of geology, ecology, evolution, and genetics. Mr. Holmes joined the American Museum in 1992 as a lecturer for the special exhibit “Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast.” Since then he has been Coordinator of the Museum's After School Program for high school students, and advisor for the Museum's ecology club for teens: YouthCaN, a collaborative, international youth education program. He also developed and implemented hands-on activities for visitors in the Museum's Discovery Room before joining the UA team in 2004. On this Costa Rica expedition Mr. Holmes will help you understand the geology of the region and its ecosystems. Under his expert guidance, travelers will share in each other's discoveries and explore the relationships between observation and the world environment as a whole. Personal Statement for Jay Holmes: "Far below me, the lake in the center of the volcano was an amazing turquoise blue and around its edge were spots of yellow sulfur with wisps of white steam rising from them. The surrounding mountains were covered in a rich green forest and the blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds. This image is one of my favorite memories of Costa Rica, but there are so many more! Costa Rica is a very special place. As a geologist, I love the landscape and the story of this thin strip of land connecting North and South America. As tectonics or the sea level changed, this land was sometimes disconnected, opening and closing the gate allowing the isolation and mixing of the hemisphere’s biodiversity. The local biodiversity of Costa Rica is the true marvel, and the one that I am sure attracts you as it does me. From the quetzals, motmots, and manakins above to the parade leaf cutter ants below, from the howler monkeys in the trees to the sea turtles emerging from the ocean, there are amazing creatures everywhere you look. I look forward to sharing the adventure from volcano tops to sandy beaches on this AMNH Expedition to Costa Rica. Don't forget your cameras, binoculars and headlamps!" Tour(s): Family Costa Rica
	John Marciari is Curator of European Art at the San Diego Museum of Art. He holds a Ph.D. in the history of art from Yale University and before going to San Diego he was the Nina & Lee Griggs Associate Curator of Early European Art at the Yale University Art Gallery. Dr. Marciari has extensive experience as a teacher and lecturer. He has taught at Loyola College, at Yale, and at the University of San Diego and has given many public lectures, not only at the museums at which he has been a curator, but also at the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museum, Cambridge University, and elsewhere. A fellow of the American Academy in Rome, his expertise spans the breadth of Italian art, architecture, and culture. He has served as the study leader for several previous tours of Sicily organized by the Smithsonian and by the Association of Yale Alumni. A quote from AMNH study leader John Marciari on Sicily: “Sicily is an amazing place. Due to its strategic position, the island has been dominated by one civilization after another, each leaving its mark, and the combination of these influences has created an artistic heritage that has few equals. Yet, it would be a mistake to see Sicily as simply a place shaped by outsiders, for even today, Sicily is still a land all its own. There are few other places in the world where we find buildings with so many fascinating layers.”
	Jonathan Cooley received a B.A. in paleo-biology from the University of Colorado and a M.S. in geology from Montana State University. He has taught paleontology and geology field techniques at field schools in Montana and Colorado, and has accompanied expeditions to such exotic dinosaur localities as Valley of the Moon, Argentina; the Gobi Desert, Outer Mongolia; and the north slope of Alaska. An additional youth coordinator from AMNH will soon be identified. Tour(s): Digging for Dinosaurs 1 Digging for Dinosaurs 2
	Junaid Sorosh-Wali is a Programme Specialist at the Europe and North America Section of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, Mr. Sorosh-Wali earned a State Architect Degree and a Masters degree in City, Architecture and Heritage Conservation in France. As a Programme Specialist, he is in charge of World Heritage sites in Western, Baltic, Nordic and South-East Mediterranean Europe, including Turkey. He has carried out several monitoring and expertise missions to Cappadocia, Istanbul, and other Turkish sites and reports his findings to the World Heritage Committee. He regularly lectures on World Heritage issues to Master Degree Programs at several European universities. As an amateur photographer, many of his photographs have been exhibited at UNESCO Headquarters and published in international magazines and books. As American Museum of Natural History study leader for the expedition to Turkey, he will share his “World Heritage” perspective with AMNH Expeditions travellers.. Tour(s): A Turkish Odyssey
	Laila Williamson is Senior Scientific Assistant in the Division of Anthropology at AMNH. Specializing in Tibetan Buddhism, she has worked extensively with the Museum's Asian ethnographic collections relating to the cultures of India, Tibet, Mongolia, and Bhutan. She has assisted the department’s India curator in researching and publishing over 20 books and articles on rural life, culture, and festivals in North India and has gained first-hand experience on life in India during her travels in North and South India. Personal Statement from Leila: "What is it about India that fascinates continuously? There is something mystical about her, something captivating that is not easy to explain. The variety of experiences seems endless. From north to south and west to east not only the environment but the people are varied in looks, languages they speak and with distinct writing systems, foods they eat, their arts and architecture. Yet they are all part of the great country of India with her ancient, deep-rooted civilization. Before the other great religions were born, Hinduism was already thousands of years old. Complex and colorful festivals offer a glimpse to the religious life of India. At times India may seem overwhelming. There’s too much of everything, too many people, noise, colors. But that is part of the fascination, as it also includes the graceful women in their bright-colored saris, the music, and the great food. We who love India love it all. And we might do well to remember the gifts of India many of us enjoy: cotton cloth, the great game of chess, the taste of chicken dishes, and the search for peace of mind in meditation." Tour(s): Bhutan: Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon Essential India 2
	Mark Norell is Chair and Curator in the American Museum of Natural History’s Division of Paleontology, is co-curator of the Silk Road exhibition at the Museum. A highly respected scientist, Dr. Norell has focused his research on the evolution of the earth’s species by studying the fossilized remains of extinct and existing creatures. As a result of his participation in the successful collecting expeditions in the Gobi Desert, he has developed new theories about bird origins and the groups of dinosaurs to which modern birds are most closely related. His current work concentrates on the relationships of small meat-eating dinosaurs to present-day birds and much of his research has been conducted in Asia. Dr. Norell, a respected and popular lecturer, will discuss the natural history, art, and history of this ancient trade route. Tour(s): Ancient Silk Road
	Michael Shara is Curator of the Museum's Astrophysics Department. His research interests include the evolution and explosions of novae and supernovae, hunting for planets orbiting other stars, and the populations of stars inhabiting dense clusters and galaxies. He frequently observes with the Hubble Space Telescope and other large ground-based telescopes. An avid stargazer since childhood, Dr. Shara regularly guides audiences across the night sky, combining the mythology of constellations with the evolution of galaxies and the universe. Tour(s): Astrophysics in Italy World Leaders Symposium: Russia and the Black Sea
	Paul Sweet has been interested in natural history for as long as he can remember. After completing a degree in Zoology at the University of Liverpool, he traveled extensively in the Americas and Asia for several years before working in the Raffles Museum, in Singapore. In 1991 he moved to New York to work at the American Museum of Natural History where he is now the Collection Manager in the Ornithology Department, responsible for over 900,000 bird specimens, the largest such collection in the world. During his tenure at the AMNH, he has participated in many scientific research expeditions to countries such as Vietnam, Central African Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and the Solomon Islands. Personal Statement from Paul: "Growing up in the seafaring city of Bristol, England, I learned of John Cabot, the Genoese mariner who set sail from the harbor near my home in 1497, to land on the rugged shores of Newfoundland. Like many before me, I also left those English shores to explore the new world, in my case in search of birds. I visited this evocatively named island back in 2000 and was awed by the huge colonies of seabirds and playful whales spending their summer along the rocky coasts in the rich waters at the eastern extremity of North America. Likewise, I have seen the boreal forests of Nova Scotia and New England teaming with birdlife during the green summer, when species that winter in the tropics come north to nest. I am excited to explore these areas with you in a new season, to observe how nature changes with the coming of autumn and to witness together the spectacle of migration set against magnificent fall foliage."
	Sidney Horenstein is a geologist and recently retired as Coordinator of Environmental Public programs at the American Museum of Natural History after 40 years with the institution. He was also an adjunct lecturer in geology at the City University of New York for 25 years and is the natural history consultant to the Bronx County Historical Society. Sid continues to lead field trips to diverse areas in New York State including the greater metropolitan area and the Hudson River Valley. He also lectures at the AMNH on a variety of natural history subjects. He has been involved with American Museum Expeditions since 1985 and has led trips to the Americas, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, the Arctic, and North Africa. Tour(s): The Great Lakes 2
	Tita Hyland teaches Asian art at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and her specialty is Chinese painting. She also is Consulting Curator at The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, Massachusetts where she co-organized Curator’s Choice: China in 2006. She curated an exhibition for the New Britain Museum of American Art in 2007, Contemporary Combustion: Chinese Artists in America. She worked at the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan and has travelled extensively in Asia. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in the History of Art (Chinese) at the University of Michigan. This will be her third Family China program with the American Museum of Natural History. Personal Statement "Although I have visited China a number of times, each journey brings new insights and adventures. As the most populous country in the world with the greatest range of climate and geography, there is an infinite amount to investigate. We will visit China’s most significant cities, Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. My favorite places include the Forbidden City and Palace Museum in Beijing and the terra cotta warriors outside Xi’an and the Shanghai Museum. Its ancient history, distinctive culture and refined cuisine are captivating. No matter what your particular interest, you are bound to discover something relevant in China!" Tour(s): A Family Adventure in China
	Victoria Pebbles has worked on Great Lakes policy for 15 years and on national environmental policy for 25. She currently directs the Great Lakes Commission’s program on Economy and Society, which addresses clean energy, coastal management, ports and navigation, and tourism and recreation. Ms. Pebbles has published dozens of articles and technical reports on critical environmental and economic policy issues, including smart growth, land use, sustainable development, coastal zone management, and habitat conservation. She looks forward to sharing her extensive experience of Great Lakes policy and management with fellow travelers this summer. Tour(s): The Great Lakes 1
	World Leader Symposium - This symposium features former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense William Perry, and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, plus an impressive team of experts on U.S.-Russia relations, global energy security concerns, and nuclear non-proliferation. Each World Leaders Symposium features a series of special lectures, panel discussions, and opportunities for informal dialogue on a wide range of pressing global issues and current events. Working with guest lecturers and in-country contacts, we will continue to develop an extensive and compelling lecture series—a truly one-of-a-kind educational experience—until the date of departure. Please note that speakers will join us for varying lengths of time during the program. The following are brief biographies of the study leaders; for more detailed information download or request the complete brochure. Keynote Speakers Condoleezza Rice is the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. From January 2005 to 2009, she served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State. Prior to that, from January 2001 to 2005, she was the National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush. She has authored and co-authored several books, including The Gorbachev Era, with Alexander Dallin; and Uncertain Allegiance: The Soviet Union and the Czechoslovak Army . William J. Perry was U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1994 to 1997. During his tenure, he supported continued military cooperation with and aid to Russia and the former Soviet republics to facilitate the destruction of their nuclear arsenals. He used the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1992 to provide funds for the dismantling of nuclear weapons in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. He is currently a professor at Stanford University. Mikhail Gorbachev was president of the former Soviet Union (1985–1991) and is best known for his role in ending the Cold War. Attaining the Communist Party’s highest spot in March 1985, he pushed for significant reforms and an end to the arms race with the West. A recipient of the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize, the Orders of Lenin, the red Banner of Labour, and the Badge of Honour, Gorbachev has emerged as a leading spokesperson for the environmental movement. Featured Speakers Michael Shara is Curator of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History and curator of the critically acclaimed Einstein exhibition. His research interests include the evolution and explosions of novae and supernovae; hunting for planets orbiting other stars; and the populations of stars inhabiting dense clusters and galaxies. He will discuss the U.S.-Russian space race, explain how astrophysics relates to nuclear weapons technology, and lead the group through Moscow’s Star City. Coit Blacker is director and senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; the Olivier Nomellini Professor in International Studies in the School of Humanities and Sciences; and the Olivier Nomellini Family University Fellow in Undergraduate Education at Stanford. He served as special assistant to President Clinton for National Security Affairs and as senior director for Russian, Ukrainian, and Eurasian affairs at the National Security Council (NSC). James Hadley Billington has been The Librarian of Congress since September 1987. Billington is the author of The Face of Russia, a companion book to his PBS series of the same name; and many other books. He is the founder and chairman of the Open World Leadership Center, which has brought 15,000 young political leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and other successor states to the U.S. Billington is currently consultant to President Medvedev of Russia on a new Russian library system. Marvin Kalb is Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice, Emeritus, and senior fellow at the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard. His distinguished journalism career encompasses 30 years of award-winning reporting for CBS and NBC News as chief diplomatic correspondent, Moscow bureau chief, and host of Meet the Press. John Edwin Mroz is president and chief executive officer of the EastWest Institute. From its roots as a European-American initiative to bridge the divisions between Europe and Eurasia, Mroz built EWI into one of the world’s pre-eminent non-governmental change-agent institutions. Among his numerous international accolades is Germany’s highest award to a noncitizen in recognition of the role he and EWI played in facilitating German reunification. Vinton G. Cerf has served since October 2005 as vice president and chief Internet evangelist for Google, where he is responsible for identifying new enabling technologies to support the development of advanced, Internet-based products and services. Widely considered one of the “Fathers of the Internet,” Cerf is the codesigner of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet. Cerf is considered an expert on the global future of the Internet and will discuss the use of modern social networking technologies in the areas visited in this program.